Pre-Writing





Rough Draft




Do you feel the necessity to increase the time given to change between classes? I certainly think so especially after the new building has been made. There has been an increase in the number of tardies, and other inconveniences such as not having enough time to go to the locker, bathroom, and the hallways are very crowded. The school should definitely increase the time that students are given to change between classes to decrease these inconveniences.

First, think about how people are being late so often in one of your classes. Taking my Spanish class for example, it’s the first classroom on the fifth floor of the new building but there are still tardies. Three out of seven people in my class have had tardies. Due to this issue, students are getting tardy marks by teachers and the tardy marks go our report cards. I’m sure everyone has had tardies at least once so everyone should understand this issue pretty well. It’s a huge inconvenience, a major issue, and very unfair. It’s not completely our fault that we get more tardies than before, but the time that we’re given is the main reason.

Second, there is not enough time to go the locker, bathroom, and sometimes talk to teachers before class. Especially for juniors, our lockers are on the first floor having to walk all the way down and up. This results in many students having to carry multiple heavy textbooks. For the bathroom issues, there are some teachers who don’t let students go to the bathroom during class telling them that they need to use it before class. However, how are we supposed to do that when there is not enough time? Bathroom issue has been a cause of tardy as well for some people. Then, for before class, there are students who want to ask questions to teachers, but don’t have the time. This proves how five minutes is just too short for majority of the student population.

Lastly, crowded hallway contributes to tardiness. There are many people in the hallway causing to bump into other people, other people getting in your way, people walking too slow, and etc. Many people may claim that they don’t walk slow or get in your way, but it’s not true. This is another experience that everyone goes through everyday. This is a simple problem that could be fixed if the time to switch between classes were increased. Why not fix it? If the time limit is fixed, people wouldn’t try to rush being more careful in the hallways decreasing this issue.

Finally, the shortage of time causes many major issues regarding increase in tardys, not having sufficient time to go to the locker, bathroom, talk to teachers, and crowded hallways. “You will never "find" time for anything. If you want time, you must make it.” Charles Buxton stated this quote. The students don’t find enough time to accomplish everything necessary, so the school should make time. The students need it, so it’s the school’s job to do something about it.



Final Draft




HaJung Kim

23, Sept. 2009

English 11

Ms. Jacob


Shortage of Passing Periods are Stressful

Have you ever felt the necessity to increase the time given to change between classes? I say yes, because this year, KIS has expanded with the new G building increasing the necessity of certain things, and the most important thing is the shortage of passing periods. There has been an increase in the number of tardies, and other inconveniences such as not having enough time to go to the locker, talk to teachers, and reorganize our minds. From what I’ve seen so far, these issues have become quite great being at the point where the school should do something about it. Therefore, the passing periods between classes should be increased to lessen the inconveniences for students.

First, the statistics show that the average passing period given to high schools in America is seven minutes. With the seven minutes, it’s been proven that students have sufficient time to complete all their needs. However, as KIS students, we only have five minutes not getting the sufficient time that we need. Think about how people are late so often in one of your classes. Taking language classes for example, they’re all located on the fifth floor of the G building. It takes time to get through the crowded hallways and to walk all the way to the classrooms. For my Spanish class there is total of seven people, and four people have had tardies, and two of these people have had multiple tardies. The Spanish classroom is the first classroom on the fifth floor but still having tardies proving that the passing periods are a major issue. Due to this, students are getting tardy marks by teachers that go on our report cards.

Second, there is not enough time to go the locker, and talk to teachers before class. Especially for juniors, our lockers are on the first floor having to walk all the way down and up. This results in many students having to carry multiple textbooks. Managing textbooks are tough and hurt your arms, and at the same time, it can slow your pace due to all the weight. Then, for before class, there are students who want to ask questions to teachers but don’t have the time. Sometimes, there are important questions that needs
to be discussed such as grades, quizzes, projects, and just general questions.

Third, everyone needs some time to clear their mind to be ready to focus during the next class. However, we don’t have the time to do that because we’re so caught up in getting to our next class. There are people who are always out of breath when they enter class just when the bell rings not having chance to do anything at all. Refreshing our minds and getting ready to focus is very crucial in terms of learning as well. Even if it’s just for a minute, it can do a lot.

Lastly, I know that all of you know this issue from experience. The shortage of time causes many major issues regarding increase in tardies, not having sufficient time to go to the locker, bathroom, talk to teachers, and refresh our minds. Charles Buxton stated the quote, “You will never "find" time for anything. If you want time, you must make it.” This is the like the case that is happening in the school emphasizing the need for longer passing periods. Therefore, as students, we should try to lengthen the passing time for our own benefits. It can make a great difference and lessen the pressure that we have upon our shoulders.